Ziff Davis, Inc., a digital media and internet company, has appointed John Ingram as Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance and Development. In this role, Ingram will lead global M&A initiatives and partner with the leadership team to shape the company’s strategic financial roadmap. He will report directly to Bret Richter, Chief Financial Officer of Ziff Davis.

Highlights of the Appointment

1. Role and Responsibilities

• Oversee global mergers and acquisitions strategy.

• Collaborate on strategic planning and capital allocation.

• Manage capital markets transactions.

• Enhance stakeholder engagement and investor relations.

2. Extensive Financial Expertise

• Brings 18+ years of experience in M&A and corporate finance.

• Strong background in media and technology sectors.

• Skilled in identifying value-creating opportunities across complex market environments.

3. Prior Experience and Leadership Roles

• Co-founder of Aliri Capital, an investment firm focused on B2B services and tech-enabled companies.

• Morgan Stanley: Nearly a decade in Investment Banking, focusing on Media & Communications and Financial Sponsors.

• Held positions at Ernst & Young, Dixon Hughes (now FORVIS), and Royal Bank of Scotland.

4. Executive Endorsement

• CFO Bret Richter commended Ingram as a strategic asset to Ziff Davis:

“John is a highly accomplished finance executive whose extensive M&A and corporate finance experience complement Ziff Davis’ long-term goals, particularly its pursuit of shareholder value-enhancing transactions.”

5. Educational Background

• M.B.A. from University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business.

• B.S. in Business Administration and M.A. in Accounting from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

John Ingram’s appointment marks a significant strategic addition to Ziff Davis' leadership team, reinforcing its commitment to strategic growth through high-impact financial leadership. With a rich background in media, tech, and corporate finance, Ingram is well-positioned to drive the company’s global expansion and shareholder value initiatives.

Liveops, a trailblazer in the flexible customer experience (CX) industry, has announced a pivotal leadership transition with Jim Watson appointed as Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. Watson succeeds Greg Hanover, who steps down after more than eight years of impactful leadership.

Highlights of the Leadership Transition

1. Greg Hanover’s Legacy

• Led Liveops since 2017, steering the company through:

  • Significant growth

  • Technological innovation

  • Expansion of the flexible agent model

• Strengthened partnerships with Fortune 500 and enterprise clients.

• Widely recognized for reinforcing Liveops’ reputation as the leader in on-demand customer service.

2. Jim Watson’s New Role as CEO

• Former Board Chair with 20+ years of involvement at Liveops.

• Brings a deep, institutional knowledge of the company’s:

  • Vision and culture

  • Client base

  • Operational strengths

• His appointment reflects the Board’s confidence in continuity and future innovation.

3. Vision for the Future

• Watson aims to:

  • Advance Liveops' strategic priorities

  • Strengthen its core customer service capabilities

  • Invest further in technology and talent

• Reinforce Liveops’ ability to deliver high-impact, scalable CX solutions in today’s experience-driven economy.

4. Commitment to Innovation and Flexibility

• Liveops’ model integrates:

  • Human connection

  • Advanced technology

  • Operational agility

• Positioned to meet the evolving needs of modern enterprises with remote, distributed CX teams.

5. Leadership Reflections

• Watson shared:

“What has always made this company special is our ability to pair human connection with leading technology and operational agility—and deliver meaningful results for our clients.”

With Jim Watson at the helm, Liveops is poised to accelerate innovation in the customer experience landscape. Building on a strong foundation laid by Greg Hanover, the company will continue to redefine flexibility and quality in customer service for enterprise clients worldwide.

WiMi Hologram Cloud Inc. (Nasdaq: WIMI), a leading provider of augmented reality (AR) hologram technology, has officially filed its annual report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2024, with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The report signals a notable financial turnaround, showcasing the company’s strategic execution and operational resilience.

Financial Highlights and Strategic Insights

1. Transition to Profitability

• WiMi reported a net income of RMB 103.3 million (USD 14.4 million) in 2024.

• A significant improvement from a net loss of RMB 510.4 million in 2023.

• Reflects effective operational strategies and efficient cost control.

2. Robust Cash Flow and Liquidity

• Cash and cash equivalents, including short-term investments, rose by:

  • RMB 1.14 billion, or 148.0% year-over-year.

  • From RMB 773.9 million in 2023 to RMB 1.92 billion (USD 266.9 million) in 2024.

• Positions the company for sustained growth, innovation, and strategic investment.

3. Strong Management and Strategic Direction

• The turnaround underscores WiMi’s capable leadership and adaptive strategy.

• The financial foundation enables the company to:

  • Pursue new development avenues

  • Expand R&D in hologram and AR technologies

  • Fuel future global expansion

4. Access to Full Financial Reports

• The complete audited consolidated financials are available on:

  • The SEC website: www.sec.gov

  • The WiMi Investor Relations site: ir.wimiar.com

• Printed copies can be requested via the Investor Relations Department in Beijing.

WiMi’s 2024 financial performance marks a powerful turnaround from prior-year losses, driven by effective strategic execution and operational focus. With robust liquidity and a renewed outlook, WiMi is well-prepared to continue innovating in the AR and holographic tech sectors.

Zebra Technologies Corporation, a global leader in digitizing and automating frontline workflows, has selected Ruder Finn as its Public Relations Agency of Record (AOR) for North America and Latin America. This strategic partnership aims to elevate Zebra’s brand presence and strengthen its external communications across key markets.

Elements of the Strategic PR Partnership

1. Purpose of the Appointment

• Following a competitive pitch, Ruder Finn was chosen to:

  • Drive corporate communications and media relations for Zebra.

  • Support Zebra's growth strategy and innovation narrative.

  • Amplify the company’s brand visibility across the Americas.

2. Leadership and Expertise

• Antonia Caamaño, SVP of Technology at Ruder Finn, will lead the account.

• Caamaño brings deep industry insight into technology storytelling and strategic communications.

3. Zebra’s Vision and Expectations

• Zebra aims to showcase how its technologies transform the entire supply chain journey, from factory to consumer.

• Focus areas include:

  • Mobile computing

  • Printing and scanning

  • Machine vision

  • Robotics

  • RFID

  • AI solutions

“Their expertise in translating technology into compelling stories... will help us drive awareness of our leadership,” — Therese Van Ryne, Senior Director, Global External Communications, Zebra Technologies

4. Innovations That Drive Business Impact

• Zebra’s portfolio enables real-time asset visibility, intelligent automation, and connected frontline operations.

• Highlights include:

  • RFID tech for real-time data capture in venues, distribution centers, and hospitals.

  • AI-powered solutions to enhance inventory management, customer satisfaction, and operational efficiency.

5. Ruder Finn’s Commitment

• The agency is focused on bringing to light Zebra’s innovation through creative communications and thought leadership.

“We are thrilled to be extended members of Zebra’s communications team,” — Antonia Caamaño, Ruder Finn

The partnership between Zebra Technologies and Ruder Finn marks a strategic step in reinforcing Zebra’s industry leadership through compelling communications. By aligning with a seasoned PR firm, Zebra aims to better articulate its innovation impact and strengthen its presence in high-growth markets across the Americas.

Omnicom Media Group (OMG), the media services division of Omnicom, has consolidated all its global influencer marketing capabilities under a single brand Creo. This strategic integration places influencer marketing at the core of OMG’s global media offerings, offering clients more precise tools, data-driven planning, and performance measurement across markets.

Highlights of the Global Consolidation

1. Creo: A Unified Global Influencer Strategy

• All regional influencer marketing efforts are now unified under the Creo brand.

• In certain regions, this will be branded as OMGCreo.

• Consolidation allows access to:

  • Industry-leading influencer partnerships

  • Unified tools and technologies

  • Consistent strategic approaches worldwide

2. The “Influencers as a Media Channel” Approach

• Positions influencers as integral to media planning, not just standalone activations.

• Enables data-led campaign planning, discovery, and performance tracking.

• Designed to bridge the gap between creator content and consumer action.

3. Integration with Omni: Omnicom’s Operating System

• Leverages Omni’s advanced data infrastructure to:

  • Enhance creator discovery

  • Enable precise targeting

  • Optimize campaign measurement

• Boosts ROI and relevance across influencer touchpoints.

4. Strategic Brand Collaborations and First-Mover Data Deals

• Creo has worked with brands like Mountain Dew, Delta, and State Farm.

• Ongoing first-mover partnerships with:

  • Amazon

  • Google

  • Snap

  • TikTok

  • Instacart

• These collaborations close the gap between influencer content and commerce, turning creators into direct sales channels.

5. Launch of Three AI-Powered Tools in Omni

• Creator Briefing Tool: Powered by Google Gemini, it helps creators align content with target audience and cultural trends.

• Creo Influencer Agent: AI tool that matches influencers with brand objectives using cultural data signals.

• Omni Creator Performance Predictor: Uses Meta’s new API and machine learning to identify top-performing influencer content for paid promotion—showing a +38% performance increase over manual selections in alpha tests.

6. Market Context and Growth

• Influencer marketing spend has tripled since 2020.

• Market projected to reach $33 billion in 2025, up from $24 billion in 2024.

• This consolidation meets the increasing demand for measurable, scalable influencer solutions.

By uniting its influencer marketing capabilities under Creo, Omnicom Media Group delivers a unified, data-driven global solution that positions influencers as a core media channel. With next-gen AI tools and first-mover platform integrations, OMG is redefining how brands plan, activate, and scale influencer marketing to drive real business outcomes.

Bounteous, a leading global digital transformation consultancy, has announced the promotion of Ketan Somani to the role of President of Strategic Industries & Regional CEO, EMEA & APAC. In this expanded position, Ketan will oversee global growth strategies in Financial Services, Media & Telecommunications, and Diversified Industries, while continuing to scale operations across Europe, the Middle East, Africa (EMEA), and Asia-Pacific (APAC).

Highlights of the Leadership Transition

1. Strategic Oversight Across High-Growth Sectors

• Ketan will lead Bounteous’ strategic direction and client solutions in:

  • Financial Services

  • Media & Telecommunications

  • Diversified Industries

2. Regional Growth in EMEA & APAC

• Since 2017, Ketan has:

  • Doubled company revenues

  • Established and scaled EMEA operations

  • Expanded APAC operations, transforming Tier 1 GCCs into strategic partnerships

3. Executive Sponsor for AI Initiatives

• Ketan will drive global adoption of AI-powered transformation solutions

• Focused on helping clients:

  • Innovate faster

  • Operate smarter

  • Scale more confidently

4. Track Record of Growth and Innovation

• Ketan played a key role in securing a majority investment from New Mountain Capital

• Brings deep experience in:

  • Sales and P&L management

  • Global delivery models

  • Building client-centric, digitally agile teams

5. Leadership Endorsements

• Sudarshan Mandayam, CEO of Bounteous:
  “Ketan has driven differentiated growth and deep client partnerships, strengthening our global footprint.”

• Prasad Chintamaneni, Executive Chairman:
  “His vision and execution across EMEA and APAC have positioned Bounteous for long-term global success.”

6. Vision for the Future

• Ketan on his new role:
  “I’m honored to step into this role as we continue to pioneer Co-Innovation and AI transformation across industries. Our global teams are well-positioned to unlock new growth and drive lasting client value.”

Ketan Somani’s appointment marks a significant step in Bounteous' global expansion and innovation roadmap. With a proven leadership record and a bold vision for AI-powered transformation, Ketan’s expanded role is set to accelerate Bounteous' impact across key industries and markets.

Manychat, a global leader in conversational AI and automation across messaging and social platforms, has secured $140 million in growth capital led by Summit Partners. This round brings the company’s total funding to $163.3 million, following its first institutional investment from Bessemer Venture Partners in 2019.

Highlights of the Announcement

1. Capital to Drive AI Innovation and Global Expansion

• Funding will be used to:

  • Accelerate global expansion

  • Invest in R&D and AI innovation

  • Scale marketing and customer support

  • Enhance Manychat AI, the company’s flagship intelligent automation solution

2. Manychat’s Growing Role in Social Commerce

• Operates across Instagram, TikTok, WhatsApp, Facebook Messenger, and more

• Supports over 1 million businesses in 170+ countries

• Powers billions of automated messages annually

• At the heart of a booming social commerce market, projected to surpass $100 billion in the U.S. by 2026

3. Agentic AI for Better Customer Experiences

• Manychat AI, launched in 2024, helps businesses and creators:

  • Scale personalized conversations

  • Maximize engagement

  • Monetize audiences more effectively

• CEO Mike Yan: “We’re simplifying foundational technologies so customers can focus on delivering exceptional value.”

4. Strategic Backing from Summit Partners

• Sophia Popova, Partner at Summit Partners, joins Manychat's Board of Directors

• Popova: “Manychat is redefining digital communication and marketing in the age of social commerce.”

Manychat's latest funding round underscores its leadership in a fast-growing market at the intersection of AI, automation, and social commerce. With a focus on agentic AI and intelligent engagement, the company is well-positioned to revolutionize how brands and creators connect with audiences globally.

The "2025 State of B2B Pipeline Growth" survey from Pipeline360 reveals critical insights into the obstacles B2B marketers face today and the strategies employed by high-performing teams to overcome them. With economic uncertainty, shrinking budgets, and lengthening sales cycles on the rise, marketers must adapt and evolve to thrive. This report identifies six key areas where top performers excel and highlights how data utilization, streamlined tech stacks, and smarter strategies can drive pipeline growth and revenue generation.

Challenges Facing B2B Marketers:

1. Economic Uncertainty

   • 45% of marketers cite economic uncertainty as their top concern.

   • Unrealistic leadership expectations and declining buyer engagement also rank high.

2. Shrinking Marketing Budgets

   • 63% of organizations report stagnant or decreasing marketing budgets.

   • This financial strain makes it difficult to scale marketing programs and drive growth.

3. Longer Sales Cycles

   • 74% of marketers report longer sales cycles, with 41% seeing increases of 2 to 6 months.

   • This shift demands sustained engagement across longer periods.

4. Declining Buyer Engagement

   • Challenges like declining email open rates and form fills are further complicating efforts.

Areas Where High-Performing Teams Excel:

1. Data Utilization

   • 79% of high performers excel in data handling versus only 14% of low performers.

   • Effective data utilization helps optimize marketing efforts and leads to better targeting.

2. Streamlined Tech Stacks

   • 72% of high performers have optimized tech stacks, compared to just 12% of low performers.

   • A streamlined tech stack is vital for efficiency and enhanced marketing performance.

3. Buyer Engagement

   • 72% of high performers effectively engage target audiences, while only 12% of low performers do the same.

   • Consistent and impactful engagement is essential for building lasting customer relationships.

4. Lead Nurturing

   • 69% of high performers excel in lead nurturing, significantly outperforming the 10% of low performers.

   • Nurturing leads is critical for maintaining momentum and driving conversions.

5. Content Quality

   • 85% of high performers produce exceptional content versus 27% of low performers.

   • High-quality content is a cornerstone for building trust and engagement.

6. Sales-Marketing Alignment

   • 75% of high performers align their marketing and sales teams closely, compared to just 24% of low performers.

   • Strong sales-marketing collaboration is essential for driving revenue growth.

How AI and Personalization Are Shaping Marketing:

1. Data-Driven Personalization

   • 52% of marketers see data-driven personalization as the top factor in improving lead nurturing.

2. Generative AI

   • 36% find generative AI valuable for content creation and optimizing email campaigns.

3. AI’s Role in Bridging Data Gaps

   • AI helps connect fragmented data to deliver personalized buyer experiences that boost engagement.

The Importance of Revenue Metrics:

1. Top KPIs for Marketing Teams

   • Website traffic (43%), revenue generated (42%), and SQLs (39%) are the top KPIs.

   • High-performing teams prioritize revenue metrics, with 50% using revenue generated as their main KPI.

2. Revenue as the Key Driver

   • The shift toward revenue-driven metrics is essential for a more integrated approach to pipeline growth.

The 2025 State of B2B Pipeline Growth survey underscores the need for a smarter, more integrated marketing approach. With challenges such as economic uncertainty, shrinking budgets, and longer sales cycles, B2B marketers must focus on high-impact strategies like data utilization, AI, and sales-marketing alignment. By prioritizing actionable insights, personalizing experiences, and focusing on revenue generation, marketers can optimize their efforts and achieve sustainable success.